Key Additions

September 06, 2005|By MICHAEL C. WRIGHT Daily Press

JASON CAMPBELL (QB, 6-4, 230, Auburn)

WHERE HE CAME FROM: Auburn University, where he led the Tigers to an undefeated season, highlighted by a Sugar Bowl victory over Virginia Tech. The Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Campbell was the last of four Auburn players selected in the first round of the draft.

WHY HE'S A REDSKIN: Campbell is the Redskins' quarterback of the future. But if Patrick Ramsey and Mark Brunell falter this season, Campbell may get a shot to play. Campbell is big (6-fet-4, 230 pounds), mobile and has a strong arm. Redskins coaches are especially pleased with his poise.

ABOUT CAMPBELL: In the days leading up to the draft, Gibbs visited Auburn to check out a few prospects. Gibbs wasn't looking at just Carlos Rogers. Soon it became widely known the club was seriously considering taking Campbell with its 25th pick.

The Redskins, despite having veterans Ramsey and Brunell, gave up three picks to the Denver Broncos -- including a first-rounder in 2006 -- to move into the 25th spot for Campbell.

"We made a big investment in Jason; it's going to be fun to watch him go," Gibbs said. "You're always competing for a spot, but we've named Patrick (Ramsey) the starter and have full intentions for him to have a great year."

But that doesn't mean the coaching staff has ruled out Campbell starting. He spent most of the offseason at Redskins Park working out and trying to learn the playbook. The extra work has shown on the field.

Playing against mostly third teamers, Campbell showcased his ability, completing 5 of 10 passes for 55 yards and the Redskins' only touchdown in a scrimmage against Baltimore earlier in training camp.

"I was nervous and a little overexcited, but I think I played well in my first live action," Campbell said after the scrimmage.

He followed that performance with a decent outing in the club's preseason-opener against Carolina, throwing for 132 yards on 10 of 18 passing.

At Auburn, Campbell passed for 7,299 yards and 45 touchdowns, playing for four offensive coordinators. Still, he completed better than 60 percent of his passes, and connected on 69.6 percent as a senior.

Throughout training camp and in preseason games, Campbell has played well, despite criticisms about his throwing motion. Reminiscent of Randall Cunningham, Campbell has a big windup leading into his throws. But Gibbs isn't concerned.

"I don't see a quirk, I see an awesome throwing motion," Gibbs said. "What I've learned over the years working with different quarterbacks -- all those guys threw the ball differently -- but the point was they had been great in college, when they've thrown 10 million balls."

WARRICK HOLDMAN (LB, 6-1, 235, Texas A&M)

WHERE HE CAME FROM: Holdman joins the Redskins after spending five seasons with the Chicago Bears, where he had 412 tackles, an interception and four sacks.

WHY HE'S A REDSKIN: He brings depth at linebacker and is capable of contributing on special teams. Holdman, who played for Redskins linebacker coach Dale Lindsay and defensive coordinator Greg Blache in Chicago, is Plan B at two spots. If Lemar Marshall can't successfully move over to middle linebacker, Holdman will get the position. Holdman could end up starting on the weak side if LaVar Arrington can't recover from knee surgery.

ABOUT HOLDMAN: There hasn't been much talk about Holdman during the offseason or in the preseason, but acquiring him was a smart move.

There's uncertainty at middle linebacker with Marshall moving there for the first time in his career, and it may take Arrington more time than planned to recover from knee surgery. Holdman, 6-feet-1, 243 pounds, has been starting in Arrington's place during training camp.

"Warrick is still getting adapted to what we do and how we do it," said Gregg Williams, assistant head coach in charge of defense.

"Warrick could be a guy that moves in and plays middle linebacker; he has those skills. We want those linebackers that can play more than one position. We're trying to be as flexible as possible and get the right guys in the right spots to cause some confusion in the opponent's offense."

Holdman, a seven-year veteran, has started in 61 games, making 522 tackles. He signed with the Redskins as an unrestricted free agent in May.

Holdman has the physical attributes to excel in Williams' aggressive linebacker scheme. Williams constantly lauds the club's 19 defensive packages, and because of a rash of injuries last season, he's constantly tinkering with schemes.

The Redskins use a traditional 4-3 defense -- four defensive linemen and three linebackers -- as their base formation. But Williams likes to confuse offenses with a wide range of position groupings, especially in passing situations when the Redskins blitz.

This is where Holdman can be effective.

"We have a couple of new packages to highlight linebackers too," Williams said. "We don't really have starters. If Coach Gibbs allows us to have 25 guys on the active roster on defense, all 25 are starters."